I nod.“Of course.”
His eyes darken with amusement.“You’re making my mouth water.”
“Good.Hopefully, it does the same for everyone else.”
He runs a hand through his hair.“I brought all the gift baskets and raffle items.Figured I’d bring them out now.”
“I’ll give you a hand.”I glance over at Ingrid from Pulse Boutique, who’s already manning the wrapping station.“Ingrid, I’m going to help Adrian unload his car, then I’ll be back.”
She waves us off.“Take your time, honey.”
We walk side by side toward his car.The air between us feels charged.My pulse quickens every time his arm brushes mine, and I find myself stealing glances at his profile.
“I barely slept last night,” I admit, breaking the silence.
Adrian glances at me, then back at the ground.“Yeah, me neither.”He chuckles, shaking his head.“Kind of nervous, which is weird.It’s just a fundraiser, but… I don’t know.The pressure to raise enough money for the CT scanners is weighing on me.If we can even get one scanner, it means patients won’t have to drive for diagnostics.We could catch things early, like cancer and heart conditions.”
I pause for a second, taking in his words, then bump my shoulder playfully against his.“We’ve got this in the bag.”
His lips quirk up slightly, and I can tell he wants to believe it.
“Oh,” he adds, “I also have all the money from the tickets sold at work for the gift basket raffle.That’ll add a nice chunk to the total.”
“Perfect.”
We reach his car, popping the trunk to grab baskets filled with neatly arranged goodies… Bottles of wine, handmade crafts, gourmet chocolates.
“Where are we keeping all this?”
“There’s a safe spot near the main tent,” he says.“Let’s keep everything together.”
“Good idea.”
We barely make it back before people start pulling us in different directions.
Milton, the community coordinator, calls my name, asking if there’s anything left to be done.I take a slow scan of the square.Booths are set, decorations are up, the scent of fresh coffee and pastries fills the air.The festival is ready.
I shake my head.“I think we’re good to go.”
Checking the time and my clipboard, it looks like the fundraiser isn’t only ready to start, but it’s also about time for my first shift at the gift-wrapping booth, because later, I’m face painting.I nod to Adrian, signaling I’m ready, and head over to the booth.
For a while, I just stand there, proud, snapping pictures that I hope capture the vibrant energy of the crowd, and the way the town comes alive when we do something like this.
The fundraiser has officially begun.Today’s going to change everything.
I’m wrapping gifts as fast as I can, my hands moving on autopilot, when Adrian strolls up to my booth.
“I see you’re busy,” he says, his deep voice laced with playfulness.“Figured I’d make you even busier by having you wrap something for me.”
I glance up, giving him a dry look.“Really thoughtful of you.”
“I try.”
“Sorry, I’m flat out here.”I finish tying off a ribbon before pushing the wrapped gift toward the waiting customer.“But I guess I can spare a minute.What do you need?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a sleek, engraved pen, placing it gently on the counter in front of me.“Can you wrap this for me?”
I pick it up, turning it over in my fingers.The polished silver, the way the letters “make your mark” are carefully etched along the side, it’s beautiful.“Who’s it for?”I ask lightly, trying to ignore the ridiculous hope swelling in my chest.
